Otitis media and otitis externa are both common diseases in ENT, both of which are mild and severe, and in severe cases can lead to bone destruction and intracranial infections, so you can’t judge which one is more or less severe from the disease itself, and you need to look at the specific situation. 1. Otitis media: it is an inflammation that occurs in the middle ear, and the main clinical manifestations are pain in the ear, different degrees of hearing loss, tinnitus, stuffiness in the ear, etc. In serious cases, it can cause infections in the neighboring parts of the skull, such as intracranial (including extradural abscesses, etc.) and extracranial (including labyrinthitis, auricular facial paralysis, etc.) complications. 2. Otitis externa: diffuse inflammation of the skin of the external auditory canal caused by bacterial infection, with clinical manifestations such as oedema of the skin of the external auditory canal, distension and pain in the ear, hearing loss, etc. Necrotizing otitis externa can lead to destruction of the external auditory canal and the bone at the base of the skull, and may even damage the brain nerves (e.g., meningitis, brain abscess, etc.). Whether it is otitis media or otitis externa, after active treatment, the prognosis is relatively good, and it is recommended that the patient seek medical treatment in a timely manner and follow the doctor’s instructions, so as not to delay the condition.